"Darker" Diablo plea falls on deaf ears

  • By Polybren, GameSpot
  • Posted Aug 1, 2008 1:23 pm PT

When Diablo III was first unveiled at the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational event, fan reaction to the long-awaited sequel was mixed. Some gamers saw the game's 3D overhaul and smattering of bright colors to be a refreshing change of pace from the series' traditionally grim color palette. However, a...

When Diablo III was first unveiled at the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational event, fan reaction to the long-awaited sequel was mixed. Some gamers saw the game's 3D overhaul and smattering of bright colors to be a refreshing change of pace from the series' traditionally grim color palette. However, a certain segment of the fanbase considered the changes to the demonic dungeon crawler's visage downright blasphemous.

That displeasure quickly spawned an online petition calling on Blizzard to change the game's art direction to be "more coherent and familiar" with the bleak, gothic vibe of the original. As of press time, more than 52,000 signatures have been added to the petition, which also seeks to do away with "cartoonish" elements of the character and level design.

Now the game's lead designer has weighed in on the controversy. Speaking with MTV's Multiplayer, Jay Wilson quashed the petitioner's hopes, saying, "There's no going back now." Wilson explained the entire Blizzard team is happy with the style of the game in its present form, and they will not be changing it for the final release.

As for the reasons behind the art style, Wilson said he wanted the game to stand out from a recent flood of visually drab titles like Gears of War. The colors will also allow the developers to mix up the environments players find themselves in, and they serve an important gameplay function as well.

"When you have 30 creatures on screen--and four or five different types--target prioritization is a factor," Wilson said. "You need to be able to tell those things apart fast, and you can't do that when your world is gray and your creatures are gray."

Regardless of the game's newfound visual diversity, Wilson says the next trip to the Diablo universe will still have an edge.

"In terms of tone, [people unhappy with the art style] will find the game as dark as any of the previous ones and in some ways darker," Wilson said. "And I think that's probably, hopefully, enough to satisfy them."

As is typical for recently announced Blizzard games, Diablo III has no release window yet, other than "when it's finished." For more on the game, check out GameSpot's coverage from the Blizzard Invitational unveiling.

407 Comments

  • yacbos

    Posted Jul 1, 2009 8:21 am PT

    blizzard knows more then any gamer about making the game but they know nothing for sure about playing or enjoying the game
    they simply become corporate monsters like every gaming corporate RIP BLIZZARD you died for me long time ago

  • BBoss06

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 10:37 pm PT

    I think it's safe to say that Blizz knows more than any average gamer does about making games.

  • bikram323

    Posted Aug 23, 2008 1:07 pm PT

    i think that gameply and story are more important than graphics. The graphics should be playable, that is you should see everything clearly, there is no use straining your eyes. Even in diablo2, i play at a high brightness.
    so there should be no reason to ditch the game on the basis of graphics only.

  • KhanIndustries

    Posted Aug 20, 2008 2:50 pm PT

    I'm glad they are not changing. From the gameplay video there is too much to change now and I don't want this game delayed even one minute.

    To change art now would be a huge waste of resources (the art and labor invested that is already there), time (dump what is there and re-do what is needed to make it darker and less cartoonish), and money (artist don't work for free you know). Even if/had this petition reached double the stated signatures assuming they are all unique, this still represents a very small percentage of units that are expected to sell for a major production title.

  • lord-kenpachi

    Posted Aug 19, 2008 2:07 am PT

    i think it looks great. i understand why other ganers will feel cheated from the old games but its improved everything and maybe a bit too similar to sacred/sacred 2; and without experiencing the game for ourselves how can we judge if it's not up to "our standards?"

  • madmenno

    Posted Aug 18, 2008 5:08 am PT

    A petition is not pathetic... Having a problem or a different opinion about things and not discus or petition it is actualy pathetic.

    What if 100's of dogs do there dayly job in front of your door step, you would not mind do you, and surely you would not say anything or petition your authorities for making a dog park.

    So if there are 52000 people that want to show there opinion about a art style who are you to call them pathetic? These people realy don't like how the art is comming together and they have the right to speak about it. However, not buying this game becaus of the art style would just be stupid... it's the gameplay what counts most imo but most people forgot that since we got 3D accelerators.

  • kungfujoe1

    Posted Aug 14, 2008 2:05 pm PT

    Lol, there's 52,000 people who have time to learn 3D graphics editing, so that they can churn out a mod once the game comes out.

  • Eraldus

    Posted Aug 14, 2008 10:37 am PT

    I guess everybody here already said how pathetic was this petition and even more pathetic these ppl that said that they won't buy this game because of the graphics, all the better, less stupid players on battle-net now.

  • madmenno

    Posted Aug 13, 2008 2:37 am PT

    Theres only a hand full of people you want to meet, i hope you have other friends.... lol

  • khallus

    Posted Aug 13, 2008 1:42 am PT

    I'd love to meet that one person who loved the diablo series,but didn't buy diablo 3 for the bright graphics,...er plus the game is nowhere near finished yet theres alot more to come.lmao

  • madmenno

    Posted Aug 13, 2008 1:13 am PT

    But it should.... For someone who likes grim colors this is a real drastic change....

  • mailbox2112

    Posted Aug 12, 2008 7:25 pm PT

    Personally, i think Diablo III shouldn't be criticized for its color pallatte, but only for its gameplay and story (if it sucks).

  • madmenno

    Posted Aug 12, 2008 2:23 pm PT

    Offcourse, a game must feel new and fresh, but you got gameplay for that imo. The ingame screenshots don't look much diablo to me. It lacks the grimmy mood. With the bright cartoony lighting/ color palet. It realy feels like a more detailed wow dungeon to me. Where are the bloodstains? forgive me but i see only 1 screenshot with a couple of spatter..... maybe they better make it green so it shourly sells to under 18's... The bodies should spill blood while heads and arms flying around and lying at different spots.... Not that i'm not happy about the looks of it but it seems less with better graphics. Go play "x-com" or "elite - final frontier" and you will know what i mean.

  • Delta_Blue_

    Posted Aug 12, 2008 1:42 pm PT

    Personally Im glad Blizzard has the pride and dedication to their own vison of what they want to make Diablo3 look and feel like regardless of what this "vocal minority" of gamers is screaming.

    Would Da Vinci have done anything amazing if he just gave in and went with the flow?...

  • madmenno

    Posted Aug 12, 2008 12:01 pm PT

    Yeah... i wonder too.
    But thank you, finaly i have found someone that thinks alike and realy reads and finds stuff out instead of flaming petitioneers and giving me thumbs down without knowledge of whatever is going on.

    If you like it or not is a whole different discusion imo, the facts are that the art team took a different direction from D2 and even from D3 concept art work. And people that have been fan of the series but hate these collors are fed up with it. Like i said earlier what if they change the look of medal of honor into a team fortress look.... i won't care much but i realy can imagine that people are upset.

    I could not care too much about the art style of D3, although i like a grim/gothic look and those overpaints are fricking awesome .

  • thor25br

    Posted Aug 12, 2008 11:46 am PT

    You know... I agree completely... It's funny like the outcome art work in no way resembles the original drawings...

    Wonder why...?

  • madmenno

    Posted Aug 12, 2008 1:12 am PT

    My god....... offcourse it should not look like D2.... the art should look like D2 but then wirh 2009 graphics. I am beginning to think that 90% of you are completely ignorant.

    Look at the concept art (GS has a lot of it in the image galerie) well if you compare that art with diablo 2 or 3 it would clearly resemble diablo 2 more. Most of the concepts looks grim and have a real diablo feeling. Then when you look at the game you see different high saturated colors in every corner.

    Offcourse, it's possible that you don't like the grim/gothic (not dark as in no light and hard to see) but the concept art just doesn't resemble the in game art. If you think it does please explain why you think it does. I have a art companie myself and if i showed these concepts to my clients as pitches and then come up with a final product like this there would be a big chance they not accept it.

    Again, offcourse it's a matter of taste... but if you look at it objectivly the D3 art team screwed up..... I also know that this game is gonna be great but thats not what this is about. The topic clearly says it's about the art direction, so discus gameplay at the common forums.

  • redrobodragon

    Posted Aug 11, 2008 1:23 pm PT

    yes i read it.. i havnt played any diablo games before and i dont know the story, but personally looking at the old diablo games.. if this diablo 3 looked alike, there would be no way i would pay for it.. but this is defenately a great looking game, and i cant wait to buy it... Also, as one of the developers said in one of their videos, they could have re-made diablo 2 and they would have sold a lot of copies and kept a lot of their fans happy.. but they would never have gain a conciderable number of new players..

  • Gelugon_baat

    Posted Aug 11, 2008 7:59 am PT

    Seriously, this issue should go six feet under, and be forgotten like... well I forgot. Check my earlier comment on why we should not be surprised at having rainbows and other gayly-gay stuff in a Blizzard game.

  • redrobodragon

    Posted Aug 10, 2008 9:53 pm PT

    The hell with all the 52000 people who signed that petition.. Blizzard will gain 10 times that number of fans before loosing them

  • Gelugon_baat

    Posted Aug 10, 2008 9:35 am PT

    Oh come on, you people who are against and for the new "colorful" looks, haven't it come across your mind that the colorful landscapes are just part of the storyline, about a world that had recently been healing after the three Prime Evil's handiwork has been undone? Sure, a rainbow and a meadow there will show you how peaceful and complacent the people of the lands have become, but knowing Blizzard and the tragically bitter stories that they have woven for the Warcraft and Starcraft sagas, these all's-well-and-dandy landscapes would probably go to hell and heck and turn all twisted and dark as you play the game and the "we-are-losing-all-hope" plot element is weaved. Besides, it would sure beat going to Hell again for the THIRD time to whack Diablo's cousins, uncles/aunts, in-laws or other relatives, when you can have Hell ITSELF COME to YOU. That's what the giggly manic landscapes are probably for! They are probably there so they can f**ked up in order to show that bad s**t's coming down and make the story all the more dramatic! Remember, Lordaeron was a nice place, until the Scourge screwed it! And Aiur was a beautiful planet until the Zerg smothered it with creep like an icky XXX-rated buk**ke & naka**si video!

    P.S. If this prediction of mine does actually come true or somewhat accurate, please don't hate me for spoiling your sense of anticipation.

    P.P.S. Please pardon the somewhat ugly second half of the paragraph. I needed some exaggeration to get my point across that Blizzard would not design a beautiful world for a game if it does not intend to desecrate it halfway through the game's dark, bitter plot.

  • sandyqbg

    Posted Aug 10, 2008 4:16 am PT

    The darker tones of the game was what attracted me to the game in the first place. But I think a more colorful setting won't be too bad

  • thor25br

    Posted Aug 8, 2008 12:55 pm PT

    You know...I'm amazed that there's that much appeal in that game.

    I mean, it's wonderful to see how much people like this game so much that they're actually concerned it won't be perfect...

    We (i'm in it too) like it that hard... can't wait for it to come out...

    To tell the truth, I've read the interviews with J. Wilson, lead designer, and I'm happy to say that now I'm satisfied and I do believe the game will be awesome.

    Just look at the point they discuss things and put them on the table...this discussion (color, wowish) is been there for a long time.

    Also, It's interesting to see how our discussion (read petition) brought things back to the discussion and how Blizz was not afraid of discussing them again. Nice.

    That's it. High expectations from what Blizzard produces and I really can't wait to play it...

  • brian_13un

    Posted Aug 7, 2008 10:29 pm PT

    i understand that just what it says its like a coloring of a cartoon but we surely know what blizzard are capable of and Im sure that they will change or improve diablo 3

  • battle_chaser9

    Posted Aug 7, 2008 8:08 pm PT

    Does it really matter that most of the original Diablo creators are gone? Not really, I gave Hellgate a chance but it's just not that good. I think that it's great that blizzard brings in new developers that way they can input new ideas. It's not like Diablo and Diablo II were the same game.

  • battle_chaser9

    Posted Aug 7, 2008 8:05 pm PT

    I don't understand all this crying about the Diablo III's new look. I really don't give a **** what blizzard does, it's their game and their talent at work. From all of those years that they delivered these games to us they haven't let us down. So quit your whining "they ruined my game" wahh waaah stfu because it's not YOUR game it's Blizzard's game! If I wanted a game to come out the way I want it, I'll get a degree in game design and make it!

  • Vaqaas0

    Posted Aug 7, 2008 11:00 am PT

    I'll be fine with the new look if they add some impaled bodies, piles of dead bodies, pools of dead bodies, and of course like every other Diablo games, an entrance to hell.

  • BeingDS

    Posted Aug 7, 2008 7:26 am PT

    To all those out there complaining b/c the colors of the game will be different... if this is what you are concerned about in life, you're really kind of pathetic. I LOVE Blizz's games, but seriously guys... an online petition? If you're really not going to play the game b/c of something like this, maybe you should go out and find a girlfriend or something... maybe see the sun for the first time since D2...

  • mastodon_rock96

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 9:17 pm PT

    1. Rogue Encampment = Safest place on the planet
    2. Sorry but I would've signed the petition
    3. That new Witch-doctor character looks like Tak
    4. Im never gonna be that character lol

    That screen shot above looks like Dark Messiah from a helicopter.
    I dont what it is it just looks a bit cartooney. This is Diablo, not a cake.

  • _Jasper_

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 5:51 pm PT

    How do we actually know that the colors for the entire game are going to be bright and cheerful? We've seen only a couple of different environments! I'm willing to bet that we are going to be seeing a lot more variety in 3 than we did in 1 or 2. And by the way, one of them actually seemed pretty dark. Blizzard knows what they're doing when they make a game. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I trust their judgment when it comes to a game's design.

  • rogermao

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 5:40 pm PT

    The game is fine, colors do not change the gameplay, in fact, as the article says, it can help, if ur not gonna buy this game because of the art style? cmon....I've played all of them and all the other blizzard games except for WOW and wc1, and the main part is the gameplay and content. I still play diablo2 and the graphics are not too great at all.....Only thing i'm worried about is the style of gameplay and what the story is gonna be like, I have faith though

  • holyghost87

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 5:35 pm PT

    Colours okay~. Good graphic details would be alright to me as long as the gameplay is fantastic, because high graphic details with louzy gameplay makes the game good (beautiful) for nothing. More ppl could play this game if requirements are affordable by average ppl.

  • NickAnguiano

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 4:50 pm PT

    I am just gonna trust blizzard. I've played All Diablos, Starcrafts, and Warcrafts (including WoW) and one thing I notice about Blizzard is they seem pretty anal retentive with game design which is a good thing. If they're making a game and it doesn't seem like it'll get amazing reviews, possibly even win best PC game of the year or a ton of other awards then they just scrap it. Anyone remember Starcraft: Ghost? That's also prolly why every game Blizzard makes takes forever to come out after being announced. Blizzard has given me no reason whatsoever to think they'll let me down. So 52,000+ people need to chill the hell out cuz making b*tching and moaning to company that has never ever let the fans down before, as far as im concerned.. is just stupid.

  • tundra_no_caps

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 4:10 pm PT

    Two things:
    1. I love the brighter colours. I was annoyed with everything looking so monotonous and well, not fun to look at in Diablo 2, especially the first world.

    2. For all those of you talking about Diablo taking from WoW's design; maybe you should back up a bit. WoW took Diablo 2's design, and now Diablo 3 merely takes some of the improvements made, but overall, those things originated within the series. They had been merely loaned out for a while.

  • idunnoyourdad

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 3:45 pm PT

    finally someone understands

  • duckafro

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 2:17 pm PT

    Wow, fans asking the game designers to change the artwork of the game is as good as asking the developers to make a completely new game. I mean c'mon, changing the art would mean to redesign all the creatures, characters, armor, and environments just to change their color....
    That would only mean to delay the game's release and waste Blizzard's budget on D3. Seriously -.-

  • emrald111

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 1:11 pm PT

    I think diablo 1 & 2 are better than diablo 3 in some ways like in diablo 1 you can copy anything you want you can't in diablo 2&3 that is my opinion

  • jknight5422

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 12:14 pm PT

    It looks good to me. You can tell they spent a ton of money to make it look the way it does. Going back to change it all would probably take years and tons of money to redo it. A petition makes little sense at this point after the game is finished. They can petition for Diablo IV or add-on packs to be darker, but unless the petitionists are going to pony up the money to pay for the changes, it's pointless.

  • trueepower44

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 11:36 am PT

    I don't really care for the new look. The game already reminds me of WOW in its design. If anything use the new colors but don't go to a cartoonish look. Its almost the unfinished look that gave Diablo 2 a shaded more in depth look. Just because you add more colors doesn't make the graphics better. They have to have actual style, this game has the style of wow, which is just a barage of colors and cartoon characters.

  • Citical

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 10:47 am PT

    Maybe this has been stated earlier, but I will give it an update: I don't think it is an issue with the lighting and color. I just feel like it doesn't have that sense of "I'm really in hell" feel like the previous installments did. Remember in Act 2, when you would enter first couple of dungeons of the palace, and you see the remains of a gory massacre all over the floor and walls, or the staked corpses? It give the sense of "What did i just walk into? Where the hell am I?" I just don't see or feel it here, but I hope that I am sorely wrong, because that is what made me love Diablo in the first place. Other than that, I like the new lighting engine, and I'm sure it can get darker than what we see here.

  • Cruven

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 9:53 am PT

    I know i never played Diablo 1 but i did however play Diablo 2. I will have to admit i like the colors being used now compaired to D2 mostly because i got bored of how dark things usually were. Things got so dark for me at one point i couldnt see what was going on. That and the colors (or lack there of) began to bore me.

  • Vaqaas0

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 8:42 am PT

    I don't really have a problem with the new appearance. But I don't think colors the problem, if you look at the last 2 games there was color and a lot of it, there just wasn't much sunlight.(Except Act 2 in D2) Besides they still stuck to the gory part and it's not like they took away all the darkness, they still have it in the game.

  • madmenno

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 7:41 am PT

    Also i'd like to add that this topic isn't colorfull at all.... why are gamers so black or white? Like i said 2 posts below, what if your favorite game was subject to change you didn't like? Don't say your not gonna whine about it caus you will most probably, and you have al the right to whine about it imo. So plz don't flame the people that realy loved the color palette in D1 & D2 just because they want to bring out there opinion... Unless you don't have opinions yourself but then you will have a opinion.... well you know what i mean don't you monkeys?

  • madmenno

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 7:35 am PT

    @Atronflame
    A lot of gothic people liked this game. And if you are familiar with those your answer is clearly made. It's also not darker like in bright day light, as the desert (act 2) was pretty bright. It's the use of the color palette (most people posting here don't have a clue what that is). They want the color pallet desaturated. The environment gets a whole new feeling when using different colors. Check the overpaints if you like to know how the petitioneers feel like it "should look".

    I was not a petitioneer myself, as i do think it's up to the developer. But i think the fan base made a pretty clear statement about the art change. I do think it's to bright and colorfull, and the real big shame is that the fans did notice the change but if D3 was same style dark nobody would have been complaining and we all where still waiting tireless on the release of D3.

  • madmenno

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 7:24 am PT

    @pizzamaker & all others with lousy meaningless posts.

    If this was your first post, you better keep your mouth shut in the future. Did you actually play diablo 1 and 2? As for most people who are happy with the collor pallet are new to the genre. And as for the diablo fans, it's like your favorite team has a new club shirt... it's mostly pink. Caus it looks more happy (fact) and it used to be a dark game. So the fans have all the right to make a petition. It's clearly that your just an monkey without a opinion so pls get your crap elsewhere.

  • Atronflame

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 5:28 am PT

    I'm really not too sure why Diablo fans were expecting it to be darker. The game has dynamic lighting, so naturally if you're outside during the daytime, it's going to be pretty bright. This changes when you go into a dungeon, and the screenshots reflect that.

  • pizzamaker

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 3:04 am PT

    It always makes my heart swell up with happiness when people with a retarded petition get denied. OWNED.

  • PandaBear86

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 12:42 am PT

    Blizzard is the best. I am excited to see Diablo 3 with vibrant color, unlike many other modern games that have no color, where some silly developers think that adding colors to a violent game will instantly transform it into Viva Pinata. How absurd, I fully support Blizzard and their mint artsyle for Diablo all the way!

  • jcasanova

    Posted Aug 5, 2008 10:39 pm PT

    It's going to be a great game no matter the colors!!

    Anyway... there could be patches that change the look of the game to satisfy all tastes.

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